Hello everyone. I was wondering what everyone's opinions on improving Alabama are. Don't even worry about how much something might cost, just toss ideas out there.

I've come up with a rough survey to see what people think, and I'd appreciate it if people would take the time to take it. A lot of it is about transit, cause IMO that is one of Alabama's biggest detriments. Anyways, if you think something should be added to the survey, tell me, cause I can still add things to it.

Yes, I agree about improving public education, but I don't know how adding ten days would help. Just stop waisting time in the classroom and give a better education. We also need to change the perception of Alabama in the mind of the general public (in the rest of the country/world). Make sure we have a diverse economy. And while we're at it, let's stop pumping cash into the pockets of good-for-nothings who choose not to work.

Transit- It would not only add more connectivity, it would enhance smaller, less-accessible areas in job creation. The big four would benefit from suburban connections. In Mobile, a rail/water ferry system would be something to look into in the long term and I can imagine the other areas having plans like a Birmingham-Tuscaloosa-Over The Mountain corridor.

Constitution reform - Obviously needed as ours is the longest in the world and is filled with antiquated laws and bureaucracy of epic proportions. Oh yeah, someone vote out that State Sen from Fyffe. That guy is awful.

Education - Another obvious need... especially in rural areas. I sincerely believe a lottery would be very beneficial to the school systems in the state.

Not to sound negative about education, and I am not, but increasing the education budget, without increasing taxes will deplete the tax revenue going to the General Fund. This supports ALDOT, the prison system, state troopers, and several other agencies. Without these, the state may as well go down the drain. In fact, the General Fund has been the red-headed stepchild to education. I had heard that 90% of every tax dollar in Alabama goes to education, but I have no idea if that is correct.
Right now, all state agencies, as well as education are struggling to make ends meet, so other alternatives will have to be presented for funding education even more. If any funding measures do pass, they need to apply to the General Fund also.

I don't know about the rest of the state, but gambling would be a boon for the Mobile area, as it continues a chain of casinos from Bay St. Louis to Gulfport and Biloxi, east. Plus, the larger population mass in Mobile would attract more casino developers and tourists. With all the extra tourists, maybe then they could bulldoze the Regional Airport and start anew.

Unfortunately, all this relates back to the separation of church and state which won't happen soon. Legislating morality is a thorn in the state's side.

There will never be a separation of church and state though, lol. It'd be pretty impossible, considering that God's name occurs in many of our State and Federal founding documents.

Though, if you're talking about making sure the state government isn't a government based on a theology, I'm all for it. And, I'd gamble to say that at least our head head head leaders do an OK job of keeping a divide between their beliefs and the government. Save for them letting it influence how it shapes them as a person.

EDIT: Our legislature, however, is a completely different story. Our legislature is terrible when it comes to trying to keep religion out of the bills that come through Montgomery. Our representation is constantly trying to legislate based on their religious beliefs instead of what the people want.